Not just one but two lovely spas in one modern hotel on the banks of the River Thames in Surrey – a super smart main spa and a secluded private retreat. Val Reynolds Brown experiences both spas on a Crystals and Champagne break. It was easy to relax and chill out in the darkened room, with soothing music, gentle aromas and competent hands massaging my weary body. It was quite companionable as my colleague was on a treatment couch just feet away. We didn’t speak to each other, but it felt good. I was in the private Aquitaine spa at the runnymede-on-thames at Egham in Surrey. Having battled through the M25 traffic with the aid of my trusty sat nav, I welcomed the chance to try a Crystals and Champagne spa break. After a particularly trying week at work, I...

Oxford is a beautiful city of stunning architecture, history and culture. Its ancient and modern colleges, fascinating museums and galleries, parks, gardens and open spaces make it a great choice for a city break. Alison and Jonathan made a fleeting visit and discovered a bijou spa in Oxford’s finest hotel – made famous by a popular television series. It was our first visit to the historic city of Oxford, yet arriving at the MacDonald Randolph Hotel in the bustling city centre, everything felt vaguely familiar. We soon realised why – the Randolph was the elegant hotel that featured regularly in the classic Inspector Morse television series. Originally built in 1864, the five star hotel takes its name from the Randolph Gallery in the famous Ashmolean Museum across the road. It offers 151 luxurious rooms and suites and a convenient central...

Lynn Houghton discovers glitz, glamour and faultless service at the stunning new Bulgari Spa in London’s Knightsbridge. It might have been the green onyx walls in the couple’s spa suite that took a year to install, or the sublime music in the relaxation room. Or the therapist who took the time to make sure I was completely comfortable during my treatment, the excellent products range, the luxury shower facilities or the ice fountain suite. All I know is that there is more than meets the eye at the new Bulgari spa in Knightsbridge and it is this attention to detail that makes this spa stand out from the rest. Arranged over two levels and measuring 2000 square metres, the Bulgari Spa is one of the largest and most exclusive urban retreats in the city centre. Encompassing 11 individual treatment rooms,...

On her first visit to Durham, Val Reynolds Brown is charmed by the character of the city and the beautiful countryside of Co Durham and Teesside. Durham is just three hours from London on the train – visiting for the first time, we were seduced by the city’s atmosphere and eclectic architecture. Small but perfectly formed was a description that sprang to mind.We were bowled over by the centuries old city centre with its cobbled streets, mysterious alleys – referred to as vennels – home to quirky shops and off beat craftspeople. Beautiful bridges, the reflections of the cathedral in the river, a castle that has been in continuous use for 900 years and the only one in the UK never to have been breached. We spent hours happily exploring the streets and the river walks thickly covered with trees. We watched...